Colorado's very own singer/songwriter Dango Rose offers a real delicacy with the source of his sound. As an artist that hones into meaningful themes and messages all of us could benefit from hearing, Dango Rose is all about uplifting and inspiring.
Embracing the healing qualities of music, Dango Rose has shared the stage with various other artists that pertain to a similar understanding, such as The Lumineers, Gregory Allan Isakov, and Nathaniel Ratliff. With an impressive resumé and overall musical agenda, Dango Rose has progressed even further with his latest song release, "Life's Too Short."
"Life's Too Short" begins with a strong collection of indie/folk melodies, and such instrumental chosen for the purpose of this track are what initiates a cascade of peaceful expressions. Halfway through the song, playful piano melodies are introduced, which only further attributes to the already-buoyant atmospheric tone of the song.
One can already guess the narrative of "Life's Too Short," but Dango Rose does this clear narrative such justice. The production is kept at a soothing and good-natured rhythm, and the lyricism sang with intent. Dango Rose can impart feelings that are easily soaked up and ultimately can influence the direction of one's day.
That's the power that Dango Rose's music holds--the ability to transform one's mood in an instant, and with subtle, minute effects that cause a surplus of emotions to be relayed.
We're intrigued for the future expressions of Dango Rose, and if they're anything like "Life's Too Short," we know we're in for a real treat.
"Life's Too Short" offered a very conclusive storyline for listeners. Was there a particular reason you crafted this particular single with the chosen lyricism?
My songwriting partner Evan Reeves sent over the tenor banjo lick while I was on the road and this is one of those songs where the top line was essentially written within fifteen minutes or so. I guess you could say, it just kind of came out that way. Whether or not it’s conclusive, I suppose that’s out of my hands to decide.
Here are the final lines of the song…. I suppose in a sense, one might deem them conclusive. And if that’s the case, I can definitely stand by the truth of it.
Life’s too short
It’s the path that brought us here
Life’s too short
It’s the pain that draws us near
Life’s too short
It’s that which binds us too
Life’s too short
It’s the light that guides us through
What was the ultimate desire within "Life's Too Short" regarding the way you had wanted your listeners to feel immediately upon listening, and immediately after listening?
Well, I suppose it’s a truthful and honest track, so there’s a sense of playfulness juxtaposed with a more somber storytelling voice. Yet at the end of the day, it’s really just a message to remember what is truly important in life, and to focus your energies and attention there, rather than on what is ultimately out of reach, allusive and fleeting…. Though everything in life is somewhat allusive and fleeting, so we do kind of shapeshifting into snakes chasing our own tails. Though aside from waxing poetic, I suppose the question is -- How do we take a break from this cycle of work, work, work, do, do, do -- and remember who we are, in terms of our essential nature, and what is truly important.
How would you describe your approach regarding the productional styling of your tracks, especially the direction taken with "Life's Too Short"?
This track specifically is a good example of how I work with one of my production/songwriting partners, Evan Reeves…Where he sends me a bed track and I lay down a top-line…From there, we keep it simple, add bass and keys and so it is…For Life’s Too Short, we did add some gospel-style hype vocals as well in the spirit of The Blind Boys of Mississippi. Yet at the end of the day, just trying to keep it simple and within the folk/roots vernacular.
All this said, my production style keeps evolving and I’m very excited about what is to come. Yet before focusing on the future, I’ve got four Eps that will be released in 2021 that tell the story of my past (while not touring with Elephant Revival) from 2008 – 2018. Each production style on each EP will be different, depending on the era that the songs were written.
Life’s Too Short is actually an anomaly of style, in terms of what has been done before and what will be done in the future.
Would you say that you often adhere to the messages imparted within your tracks? How would you describe the way you follow the message-driven into "Life's Too Short"?
Well, we are all imperfectly perfect fallible human beings are we not? That said, I absolutely adhere to what I write in my own life. When I veer off this path, I course correct and return. I’m always aiming for the higher ground in my relationships and returning time and time again to a simple foundational attitude of gratitude each morning upon waking. Do I mess up? You better believe it, but that’s not the point. It’s the intentions we hold and the visions we keep that matter.
What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020?
Honestly, I pretty much began self-induced quarantine in late 2018 after Elephant Revival’s final show at Red Rocks. So, in a sense, I was already used to isolation. One could say that I had traversed the depths of despair and came through on the other side. So, that prep work had made 2020 a bit easier for me. Yet, it was my dedication to learning and experimenting more on the engineering side of the production craft that has really stoked my creative flame…. Also, focusing on virtual collaborations with songwriters, musicians, and friends…. And spending a lot of time walking in nature.